What Is Intravitreal Injection (Anti-VEGF Injection) Treatment?

Intravitreal injection treatment (anti-VEGF injection) delivers medication directly into the vitreous cavity to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage in retinal disease. It's commonly used for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, and the procedure itself is quick, carried out under local anaesthetic in an outpatient setting.

This is one of the most frequently used treatments in the retinal disease ecosystem, and it's rarely a standalone procedure — usually it's part of a plan shaped by how the disease behaves over time. For some patients, injection alone is enough; for others, it's considered alongside, or as an alternative to, retinal laser treatment and surgery, which becomes clear after a detailed retina exam. The aim is to preserve existing vision and slow progression — vision already lost isn't always fully recoverable.

The procedure usually takes a few minutes, carried out under local anaesthetic with numbing eye drops. Treatment isn't a one-off — it's planned as a series of injections repeated at set intervals, depending on how the disease progresses. Most patients return to normal activity the same day, though mild redness or slight discomfort can linger for a few days. It's given in an outpatient setting, with no operating theatre or general anaesthetic needed.

How many injections are needed varies from person to person: some start with a loading phase before intervals stretch out; others need longer, regular treatment. Coming with someone is generally recommended, given the eye's temporary sensitivity.

Intravitreal injection is most often used for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration (age-related macular degeneration, AMD). In both, treatment aims to control the abnormal leakage or new blood vessel growth coming from the retina's vessels.

It's also frequently a first-choice option for macular oedema caused by retinal vein occlusion. Some patients notice eye floaters or flashes of light before their vision blurs; because these can signal retinal disease early on, they're worth assessing with a detailed retina exam.

Exactly which stage of which condition calls for intravitreal injection is determined together with OCT imaging and a fundus examination.

Patients with macular oedema from diabetic retinopathy, and those with wet age-related macular degeneration, can benefit from this treatment. Before starting, a retina exam and OCT imaging clarify the disease's type and stage.

Patients with macular oedema due to retinal vein occlusion also fall into this group. For those noticing a recent drop in visual acuity, distorted vision (metamorphopsia), or shadowing in their central field of view, whether intravitreal injection is appropriate becomes clear after this assessment.

Starting treatment early is generally considered important for preserving vision, so symptoms are best assessed without delay.

This treatment isn't given to patients with an active eye infection — it must be controlled first. In some advanced or structurally different retinal damage, injection alone may not be enough, and alternatives such as laser or surgical treatment are considered instead; which approach fits is decided from examination findings.

Where intraocular pressure isn't controlled, or there's active inflammation on the eye's surface, the procedure is postponed until these settle. Patients with a bleeding disorder or on blood-thinning medication may need an extra assessment beforehand.

In advanced cases needing surgical intervention, such as retinal detachment, injection alone may not be sufficient — retinal laser treatment and surgery then becomes the priority option.

Before treatment, a detailed retina exam and OCT imaging are carried out. This clarifies the disease's type and severity, and creates a baseline for tracking the response to treatment. It can include measurements from a general eye examination — a fundus examination, in particular, is one of the first steps in establishing the retina and macula's overall condition.

History-taking also covers previous eye conditions, current medications, and systemic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, since these shape the plan directly. Once complete, findings are reviewed with the patient, the plan and expectations are clarified, and consent is completed at this stage.

Before the procedure, the eye is numbed with drops and the surrounding area disinfected. A fine needle then delivers the medication through the sclera into the vitreous cavity. It's completed within a few minutes, usually without significant pain, though a slight feeling of pressure is common. Intraocular pressure is briefly monitored afterwards before the patient is discharged.

1. 1Disinfection & Anaesthetic. The eye is numbed with drops and the surrounding area is disinfected.
2. 2Sterile Draping. The eye and surrounding area are draped to maintain sterile conditions.
3. 3Giving the Injection. A fine needle delivers the medication through the sclera into the vitreous cavity.
4. 4Checking Intraocular Pressure. Intraocular pressure is monitored briefly after the procedure.

Redness, stinging, or temporary blurred vision can last a few days afterwards. Avoid rubbing the eye, and use any drops your doctor prescribes. If you notice anything unusual — sudden pain, a marked rise in light sensitivity, or sudden vision loss — contact your doctor without delay.

A mild feeling of something in the eye, or watering, is normal for the first few hours and usually settles on its own. Attending your follow-up appointment matters for assessing both the treatment response and your intraocular pressure. Rather than a sudden, dramatic improvement, the effect is usually gradual and often clearer after a few injections.

How well patients respond varies — some see clear improvement after just a few injections, while others need treatment continued for longer, at regular intervals. The goal is to preserve existing vision and slow progression. Response can show up as reduced oedema on OCT imaging, or as a noticeable rise in visual acuity, and these two don't always move at the same pace. Whether the response is adequate isn't judged from a single check-up but from several injections and follow-ups together. Where response stays limited, the plan may be reviewed, and a different approach — such as retinal laser treatment and surgery — considered.

Intravitreal injection doesn't give the same result in every patient, and vision already lost isn't always fully recoverable. Its effect is generally temporary, with injections repeated at set intervals depending on the disease. Pausing treatment can let it become active again. None of this means treatment isn't working — understanding from the outset that the goal is managing the condition and slowing its progression, not 'curing' it, sets a realistic expectation.

Some patients progress despite long-term, regular treatment; whether the plan needs to change is reassessed at follow-ups. Injection intervals varying by person is part of these limits too — treatment follows each eye's response, not a fixed schedule.

Risks include a temporary rise in intraocular pressure, eye infection (endophthalmitis), bleeding, and, rarely, retinal detachment. These are generally low, but noticing and promptly reporting anything unusual afterwards matters. How often each occurs differs — some are relatively common, temporary effects that resolve on their own, while others are much rarer but serious enough to need prompt attention. The chart below groups these by general frequency, without a specific rate; your individual risk is assessed separately at examination.

The effect of intravitreal injection is usually judged over a course of several injections, not one, so the answer to 'when will I get better' spans a period rather than a single day. Some notice an early difference after the first injection; for others, it becomes clearer only after a few weeks. The need for a repeat injection follows a similarly variable rhythm; the timeline below summarises this general pattern.

When planning intravitreal injection, Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya starts with a detailed retina assessment, reviewing the need for treatment and its expected benefit together with the patient, and monitors the response with regular follow-up throughout. The patient's expectations for daily life, and any concerns, are also listened to — the decision is shaped by both examination findings and how the patient approaches the process. Once treatment begins, response continues to be tracked at regular check-ups, the plan reviewed against these findings when needed, with an open line for the patient's questions throughout.

In some retinal diseases, laser photocoagulation or surgical treatment may come into play instead of, or alongside, intravitreal injection. Which method, or combination, is appropriate depends on the disease's type and stage. Retinal laser treatment and surgery tends to be the priority where there's an accompanying structural problem, such as a retinal tear or detachment — here, intravitreal injection alone may not be enough. In some patients, the two approaches complement each other; injection may continue after surgery to help control oedema. Which combination fits is assessed from retina exam and imaging findings.

This treatment is most often used for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration; for a retinal tear or detachment, laser or surgical treatment tends to come to the fore instead. Symptoms noticed before vision blurs, such as eye floaters, can also be linked to retinal disease and are worth a separate assessment. More on the general diagnosis and follow-up process is on our retinal diseases hub page, and more on the retina exam itself on its own page.

Avoid driving on the day of the procedure, and keep the treated eye free of dirt and water for a few days afterwards. Postpone strenuous activity and swimming for as long as your doctor advises. Most patients are back to normal work and social routine the following day. Using public transport, or coming with someone on the day, can be a practical choice given the eye's temporary sensitivity. Those who work at a screen may prefer short breaks if the eye feels tired — this usually settles within a few days. When make-up and eye-area products can resume depends on your follow-up schedule.

If you've been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration and want more information on your treatment options, you can book an appointment. Patients diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion or a similar retinal condition can also contact Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya to check whether intravitreal injection suits them and request an appointment.